“Comeback Kings” South Korea spearheaded by protagonist Jang Jonghyun clinched the Asian Champions Trophy on a shootout after going seconds from defeat in the final against Japan at the Maulana Bhasani Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday. Jang scored twice in the last five minutes when his team trailed 1-3 to a sparkling Japanese team who did admirably without livewire forward Kenta Tanaka, sidelined by injury. Kenta was of course declared Best Player of the Tournament.

The Korean stalwart struck from penalty corners to draw level 3-3 and bring on the shootout. He thus ended the tournament as he started it – scoring both goals to neutralize a 0-2 deficit against India and force a draw.

The ability to fight back was a feature in each of Korea’s matches in the campaign and included a 3-3 draw with Japan in the pool as well as a 3-2 win over Bangladesh and 4-3 and 6-5 wins against Pakistan in the league phase and semi-finals respectively.

Jang’s late burst also brought him the top scorer’s award with 10 goals after going level with India’s Harmanpreet Singh on eight before the match.

Japan had the measure of the Korea for much of the lively encounter. After avenging a 0-6 defeat to India with a 5-3 semi-final win, they showed much the same attributes against Korea.

Kenta is Best Player of the Dhaka Asian Champions Trophy Tournament

Packing explosive pace and looking dangerous as ever in counter-attacks, the Japanese also showed character in fighting back from an early 0-1 deficit.

Junwoo Jeong (8’), Jonghyun Jang (55’, 60’, pc) scored for South Korea. Japan found the net through Ken Nagayoshi (24, pc), Ryoma Ooka (26’) and Yoshita Kirishita (32’, pc).

Kazuma Murata, who ran himself into the turf, was very much Japan’s hero on the day until he carelessly drew a yellow card in the 54th minute.

The cohesive force in Kenta’s absence, Murata’s missing influence aggravated the disadvantage of numbers and the momentum swung Korea’s way in the last pulsating minutes.

Man-of-the-match Takashi Yoshikawa, who stood up for Japan with heroics in goal, was much the keynote of what would have been a deserving Japanese triumph but Jang’s focus and determination had a hint of destiny to it.

The backbone of the Korean defence stepped up for his duty at the set-piece and sent in two unstoppable drag-flicks from Korea’s seventh and ninth penalty corners – the last being a re-award after umpire Lucky Ali of Bangladesh used his own referral.

South Korea took the momentum into the shootout, converting four to Japan’s two to seal their first title.

Japan finished runners-up for the second time after losing the 2013 final to Pakistan at home.

India and Pakistan, joint-holders, won three titles each but were relegated to the bronze medal playoff in this edition which was won 4-3 by India.

Photo: AHF